Brazil Serie A Wrap: Atletico PR deliver derby goods

Atletico Paranaense came from behind in the Brazil Serie A's Parana derby to win 2-1 over Coritiba and extend their arch-rivals pain.

Paulo Baier scored twice in three minutes before half-time to give Atletico PR victory after Julio Cesar had given Coritiba the lead from the penalty spot.

The win on Sunday took Atletico PR into third above Botafogo, who lost 1-0 to second-placed Gremio, and extended Coritiba's losing streak to four games.

Cesar opened the scoring for the visitors in the 31st minute on Sunday after his initial penalty was ruled out due to encroachment, making no mistake on the second attempt to blast his spot-kick past Atletico PR's goalkeeper Weverton.

Baier equalised in the 43rd minute when he smashed home a loose ball after Coritiba's goalkeeper Vanderlei spilled Marcelo's cross and the home side's captain notched the winner in first-half injury time when he curled a free-kick into the top corner.

Coritiba's hopes of a comeback were hurt when their Argentine defender Sergio Escudero was sent off on the hour mark and Atletico PR held on, taking them to 44 points - one ahead of Botafogo, who slipped to fourth.

Botafogo extended their winless run to six matches in all competitions after Alex Telles' stunning strike handed Gremio victory on the road.

Cristian Riveros cut the ball back to Telles in the 38th minute at the Maracana and the 20-year-old half-volleyed the ball over Botafogo goalkeeper Jefferson into the opposite top corner.

Gremio's third straight win took them to 48 points, although they still trail Cruzeiro by 11, who stretched their unbeaten streak to 10 matches with a 4-1 win away to Nautico.

Internacional won their first Serie A game in five with a 1-0 triumph over Fluminense, while Atletico Mineiro were held to a 0-0 draw by Corinthians and Flamengo drew 1-1 with Vasco da Gama.

In other results, Sao Paulo defeated Vitoria 3-2, Bahia drew 1-1 with Ponte Preta, Portuguesa stunned Santos 3-0 and Goias were held 1-1 at home by Criciuma.